Cochrane · systematic review · CD007689
Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome
Lim, CED, Ng, RWC, Cheng, NCL, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2019 · Cochrane Library
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
27
current version
GRADE rated
16
No studies
11
Included studies
NR
No studies 11 · 40.7%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 9 · 33.3%Low 6 · 22.2%Moderate 1 · 3.7%High 0 · 0%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
Questions and results
Show all 2 versionsTrue acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome
Population: polycystic ovarian syndrome
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Live birth rate True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | RR 0.97 [0.76, 1.24] | 1 study · 926 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Multiple pregnancy rate True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | RR 0.89 [0.33, 2.45] | 1 study · 926 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Ovulation rate True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 1010 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Clinical pregnancy rate True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | RR 1.03 [0.82, 1.29] | 3 studies · 1117 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Restored regular menstrual period True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 141 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Miscarriage rate True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | RR 1.1 [0.77, 1.56] | 1 study · 926 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events True acupuncture vs sham acupuncture | RR 1.16 [1.02, 1.31] | 3 studies · 1230 participants | Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias |
Low‐frequency electroacupuncture compared to physical exercise or no intervention for polycystic ovarian syndrome
Population: polycystic ovarian syndrome
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Live birth rate Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Multiple pregnancy rate Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Ovulation rate Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Restored regular menstrual period – low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention | MD 0.22 | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Restored regular menstrual period – low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs no intervention Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention | MD 0.37 | 1 study · 31 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse eventsc Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention | RR 4.46 [0.77, 25.78] | 1 study · 201 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
True acupuncture compared to relaxation for polycystic ovarian syndrome
Population: polycystic ovarian syndrome
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Live birth rate True acupuncture vs relaxation | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Multiple pregnancy rate True acupuncture vs relaxation | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Ovulation rate True acupuncture vs relaxation | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 28 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events True acupuncture vs relaxation | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
True acupuncture compared to clomiphene for polycystic ovarian syndrome
Population: polycystic ovarian syndrome
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Live birth rate True acupuncture vs clomiphene | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Multiple pregnancy rate True acupuncture vs clomiphene | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Ovulation rate True acupuncture vs clomiphene | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Restored regular menstrual period – restored menstruation at the end of treatment True acupuncture vs clomiphene | RR 1.64 [0.94, 2.85] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Restored regular menstrual period – restored menstruation 1 month after end of treatment True acupuncture vs clomiphene | RR 1.5 [1.03, 2.19] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events True acupuncture vs clomiphene | RR 1.33 [0.3, 5.83] | 1 study · 120 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
True acupuncture compared to Diane‐35 for polycystic ovarian syndrome
Population: polycystic ovarian syndrome
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Live birth rate True acupuncture vs Diane‐35 | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Multiple pregnancy rate True acupuncture vs Diane‐35 | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Ovulation rate True acupuncture vs Diane‐35 | RR 1.45 [0.87, 2.42] | 1 study · 68 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events True acupuncture vs Diane‐35 | RR 0.7 [0.25, 1.99] | 2 studies · 360 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |